My favorite Montana fly fishing rivers

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TreasureTrek3

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Sep 4, 2025
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Montana is perfect for fly fishing. My top rivers are:
  • Madison River. Big fish, beautiful views.
  • Yellowstone River, lots of cutthroat and rainbow fish.
  • Bitterroot River, quiet, good for wading.
  • Missouri River, huge fish near Holter Dam.
  • Big Hole River, great for trout.
What's your favorite river? What fly do you use?
 
Missouri River below Holter Dam is my favorite. Long drifts, picky trout, but when you crack the code, it's magic. I like size 18 midges most days, but on Madison I'll switch to stoneflies in June. Montana is just one giant trout playground.
 
Out of curiosity, how is the Clark's Fork between Drummond and Bearmouth? I'll be living 5 miles up the hill from that area and have been wanting to wet a fly or two, just haven't found the time yet.
 
RugerManH said:
Out of curiosity, how is the Clark's Fork between Drummond and Bearmouth? I'll be living 5 miles up the hill from that area and have been wanting to wet a fly or two, just haven't found the time yet.
Click to expand...
Only one way to find out,Go fishing.
 
Baker947 said:
Missouri River below Holter Dam is my favorite. Long drifts, picky trout, but when you crack the code, it's magic. I like size 18 midges most days, but on Madison I'll switch to stoneflies in June. Montana is just one giant trout playground.
Click to expand...
@Mtman725 Beaverhead, nice call. Do you usually drift streamers deep there, or strip them fast? I've only read about it, but people say it fishes way different than Madison or Yellowstone.
 
It hard to beat the Madison, those views and big browns keep me coming back. I usually throw a size 16 elk hair caddis in summer
 
TreasureTrek3 said:
@Mtman725 Beaverhead, nice call. Do you usually drift streamers deep there, or strip them fast? I've only read about it, but people say it fishes way different than Madison or Yellowstone.
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Strip them back,the Beaverhead is hard to get to unless you drift it. Yes it fish's different its narrow and deep, lots of willows along the sides. The fish are same times right against the bank.
 

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